President Nelson: Why We Sustain Prophets & Apostles, Even When Troubled by "Thorny" Issues

Every general conference we have the opportunity to sustain our prophet and apostles who are chosen by our Heavenly Father to lead this Church today.

Here is a powerful testimony President Russell M. Nelson shared on Facebook about sustaining our Church leaders and how they truly do all in their power to follow the Lord's will, no matter what.

"We sustain 15 men who are ordained as prophets, seers, and revelators. When a thorny problem arises—and they only seem to get thornier each day—these 15 men wrestle with the issue, trying to see all the ramifications of various courses of action, and they diligently seek to hear the voice of the Lord. After fasting, praying, studying, pondering, and counseling with my Brethren about weighty matters, it is not unusual for me to be awakened during the night with further impressions about issues with which we are concerned. And my Brethren have the same experience.

"The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counsel together and share all the Lord has directed us to understand and to feel individually and collectively. And then we watch the Lord move upon the President of the Church to proclaim the Lord’s will."

"I was called to the Twelve nearly eight years ago when President Thomas S Monson was sustained as a prophet. I had a good seat when he spoke during that general conference. I could perceive the mantle of his calling descend upon him.

"He is our prophet because the Lord wants him to be. The Lord chose and put him in place and will maintain him there as long as it suits His will and purpose. This is comforting for me to know. He is grateful for the prayers of members and especially the prayers of children and young people. We know the Lord hears those prayers.

"Please know that, in turn, we pray for you every week when we meet together in the temple. We feel the love the Lord has for you."

And recently, Elder Gary E. Stevenson shared his testimony of the prophet on Facebook, tying it into his talk this morning.

"This morning at general conference, I shared a story about a time when I lost my keys. If you are like me, you may often find yourself in daily life asking, "Where are the keys to the car, the office, the house or apartment?"

"When this happens to me, I can't help but smile inside, for as I am looking for the keys, I find myself reflecting on restored priesthood keys and of President Thomas S Monson, whom we sustain as prophet, seer, and revelator and as the only person on earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys. We will even have the opportunity to sustain him today.

"Yes, the keys are safely in the possession of prophets, seers, and revelators. They are conferred, delegated, and assigned to others, in accordance with the Lord's will, under the direction of the President of the Church."